On September 22, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center and Shanghai Mental Health Center—both national medical centers affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine—jointly hosted the “Together for Children · Nurturing Healthy Minds” Forum on Child Mental Health Development and a strategic cooperation signing ceremony. This milestone marks the beginning of deep integration between pediatrics and mental health at the national level, injecting fresh momentum into advancing high-quality development of child and adolescent mental health in China.

The partnership responds to the National Health Commission’s “Year of Pediatric and Mental Health Services” initiative and aligns with the mission of national medical centers under the “Ten Centers” framework. The two institutions will focus on the urgent issue of children’s psychological well-being, advancing collaboration in clinical services, research, education, and talent development through mechanism innovation, resource sharing, and technological empowerment. Their joint goal is to establish a leading national hub, a first-class center in Asia, and a globally recognized powerhouse for child and adolescent mental health.

In his remarks, Gu Hongliang emphasized that only the combined efforts of educators’ compassion, physicians’ expertise, and policymakers’ innovation can build a solid safeguard for the psychological well-being of children and adolescents.

Di Jianzhong noted that youth mental health issues have both public health and social dimensions, and cannot be addressed by health authorities and medical institutions alone. He called for cross-sectoral collaboration with education, publicity, and legal systems.

Jiang Fan commended the two affiliated hospitals for seizing the opportunity of the “Year of Pediatric and Mental Health Services” to jointly focus on children’s mental health, integrate resources, and take proactive action. She stressed that SJTUSM will continue to support this collaboration to advance the mental health and well-being of children nationwide.

In the presence of attending leaders, experts, and scholars, Hong Li, Vice President of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, and Shao Yang, Vice President of Shanghai Mental Health Center, signed the collaboration agreement on behalf of both institutions.

Looking ahead, the two centers will leverage their national platforms to address the core needs of child and adolescent mental health in China. Their joint efforts will include building a hospital–school–community–family service model, strengthening talent training and discipline development, deepening scientific research and data-driven approaches, innovating service delivery with technology, and expanding public education and preventive interventions. These initiatives will enhance the availability and quality of mental health services, expand access to high-quality resources, and promote balanced distribution nationwide—bringing Shanghai’s strength to bear on the well-being of children across China.

Following the signing ceremony, the Child Mental Health Development Forum commenced, with leaders and experts from the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, Education Commission, Publicity Department, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine engaging in in-depth discussions on the future of child and adolescent mental health services. The session was moderated by Zhao Min.

Rooted in Shanghai with impact nationwide, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine continues to align closely with national strategies. By establishing 5 national medical centers, 10 national regional medical centers, and 3 national clinical research centers, the School of Medicine has built a top-tier platform for medical care, science, and education. This integrated approach strengthens clinical research, accelerates innovation and translation, and enhances service to society—contributing to the national goals of advancing education, science, talent, and a healthier China.